LSU at Auburn Breakdown: Week 8, Oct. 24, 2026

The story

LSU has bounced back from a one-point loss at Kentucky on Oct. 10, shutting out Mississippi State 31-0 at home on Oct. 17. Auburn arrives with momentum of its own after winning at Georgia on Oct. 17, and both teams sit at 2-2 in the SEC. For fantasy, LSU brings the steadier pieces, while Auburn's hopes ride on Byrum Brown and a pair of receivers facing a brutal defense.

The angle

Neither side's scoring points to an extreme game, so usage and matchups should decide who pays off. That tilts things toward LSU. Its defense allows 15.9 points a game, above average and in the top 20 percent of FBS, and it ranks as the best pass defense in FBS and the 14th-best run defense. Auburn's defense grades above average across the board, a fair test but not one that should shut down LSU's busiest players.

Start 'em

Sam Leavitt (LSU) has thrown for 247 yards a game over his last three games, and he has averaged 25.5 points this season with a high of 34.5. After the win over Mississippi State, Leavitt told LSU Tigers On SI, "I felt like I played a pretty easy game." Auburn is above average against quarterbacks, which may keep his ceiling in check. His role is secure, though, and his weekly output has been consistent. He is a safe floor, because the volume through his arm should hold up in a solid matchup.

Dilin Jones (LSU) has become a true dual threat. He has caught 5.7 passes a game over his last three games, up from 2.3 before that, while handling 43 percent of LSU's carries. LSU Tigers On SI noted his 18 carries and eight catches against Mississippi State. Auburn is above average against running backs, but Jones has averaged 19.9 points over his last three games, and the added receiving work raises his floor. Stacy Gage (LSU) has 7 percent of the carries over that span, so he is not a real threat to Jones's workload. Jones is a start, since his growing receiving role makes him matchup-proof.

Keshaun Singleton shares Auburn's passing game with Chas Nimrod, 27 percent of the catches over the last three games to Nimrod's 25 percent. He faces the best pass defense in FBS, which is also the best against receivers. He has already produced against defenses this good, though, and with five catches a game over his last three games, his steady volume should protect his floor. Singleton's slightly larger share gives him the edge over Nimrod. He is a start, because his steady catches matter more than the tough matchup.

Risky plays

Winston Watkins (LSU) has shown real upside this season, averaging 13 points a game with a high of 25.4. The problem is his role. His share fell to 15 percent of the team's catches over his last three games, down from 24 percent, and Jackson Harris has led LSU in catches in each of those three games. Auburn's above-average pass defense does not make it easier to win back targets. He is risky, since he is no longer LSU's first read.

Byrum Brown drives Auburn's offense with his legs. He has averaged 18.3 carries and 93 rushing yards a game over his last three games, taking more than half of the team's carries. LSU is the best pass defense in FBS and the best against quarterbacks, and it is the 14th-best run defense as well, so even his rushing floor is under pressure. His 22.6-point average over his last three games sits below his season mark of 24.6. He is risky, because there is no soft side of this LSU defense to attack.

Value

Jackson Harris has led LSU in catches three straight games and may now be its top target, with 5.3 catches a game over his last three games, up from 2.8 before that. He has averaged 19.1 points over that span and faces an Auburn defense that is above average against receivers, not elite. LSU coach Lane Kiffin said, "I think he'll be fine," per LSU Tigers On SI. At $6.3M he is projected for about 14, and his rising role gives him room to beat that.

TL;DR

Lean on Leavitt and Jones, buy Harris's rising role at $6.3M, trust Singleton's volume, and temper expectations for Brown against LSU's elite defense.